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NDDC: N70bn Required to Complete East-west Road

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  • NDDC: N70bn Required to Complete East-west Road

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has disclosed that the Commission and its supervising Ministry, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, need over N70 billion to complete the East-west Road which straddles the six South-South States.

Speaking while receiving the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usani Uguru, Ekere said: “The NDDC will partner with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and private sector investors on the construction of the East-West road. Over N70 billion is needed to complete the road. So, the strategy will be to harness private sector collaboration to complete the road. The portions that have totally collapsed will be addressed immediately.”

He lamented that the Eleme-Refinery junction section was in a very terrible state. “It is so bad that a 10-minute journey on that axis now takes three hours. That section of the road has failed and we will get contractors to the site immediately,” he said.

The NDDC Chief Executive Officer further stated that the construction of the remaining sections of the East-West Road would be handled by many contractors.

“Our strategy involves multiple contractors. The road, which is a strategic link to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, connects Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.”

According to Ekere, the Commission is embarking on a centralized e-project management scheme which would reduce waste and costs on project management. He added: “We are determined to improve on our project management capabilities. NDDC projects all over the Niger Delta will be managed from a central project management platform such that I can sit in my office at the headquarters and monitor projects all over the region. The essence of this is to ensure a robust project management portfolio and reduce waste and costs.

“We are determined to do things differently. We are determined to leave behind a new and improved NDDC. We are determined to reform our systems to help us reduce the incidents of abandoned projects,” Ekere said.

The minister, during the visit, ordered an investigation into the educational qualification of staff of the NDDC with the aim of exposing ghost workers and those working in the commission with forged certificates.

Uguru directed departmental heads in the commission to submit their nominal rolls to the Managing Director within one week.

Uguru said: “Directors of various departments in this Commission should submit the nominal roll of their respective departments to the Managing Director within one week. I don’t want to hear that we are on it because, I will ask for it immediately it is one week. If you are a departmental head and signs for a ghost worker, you will face it.

“We have observed that there are several people with forged certificates working in NDDC. Please, let us shun all the things that will give a bad image to the NDDC.”

While assuring the board and management of the NDDC that there won’t be political interference in the running of the commission, the Minister stated that the Buhari administration would carry out governance without partisanship.

He promised to stamp out any form of political interference in the running of the interventionist agency.

“We will stop political interference in the NDDC. Any political interference in the commission will be resisted. I assure you, political interference will no longer be an obstacle for the NDDC,” Usani said.

He commended the NDDC board and management for their efforts towards reforming the commission’s processes, and called on the staff to cooperate with the management during its audit exercise.

The minister said: “We must from this day, hasten our processes within the commission. There is no more room for partisanship.”

Usani noted that the audit that would be carried out in the NDDC was a presidential directive which must be complied with as soon as possible, warning that anyone who constituted an obstacle in the audit process would be shown the way out

“The ministry was buffeted with obstacles when it conducted its own audit. The staff of the Ministry tried to frustrate the process,” the minister said.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Lagos Eyes Investment Surge as Sanwo-Olu Unveils Growth Strategy

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is spearheading a bold push to attract significant investment inflow to boost the state’s economic growth.

During a Pre-Summit Investor Roundtable at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS 3.0), held at Eko Hotels and Suites, the governor outlined strategic opportunities for investors.

With the theme “Invest Lagos – Investment Opportunities,” the summit was organized by the Sterling One Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment.

Attended by business leaders, chambers of commerce, and industry captains, the event underscored Lagos’ potential as a hub for economic activity.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos’ positive economic outlook, citing an expanding population and sustainable infrastructure as key growth drivers.

Despite challenging business environments, the state’s economy has shown resilience, welcoming new investments while sustaining existing ones.

The governor emphasized reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business. He mentioned that digitizing services had reduced bureaucratic hurdles, fostering a stable business climate.

Sanwo-Olu assured potential investors of the state’s commitment to creating a supportive environment that ensures returns and security for investments.

“In the last five years, Lagos’ GDP has grown by 50 percent,” Sanwo-Olu stated. “We aim to sustain this growth and ensure the gains of the past years are not reversed.”

Sanwo-Olu identified sectors ripe for investment, including transportation, tourism, health insurance, and waterways. He expressed the government’s dedication to advancing development plans in these areas.

Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, highlighted Lagos’ economic strides, noting that the state’s GDP had increased from N27 trillion to N41 trillion in five years.

She detailed strategic investments, particularly the allocation of N550.7 billion for infrastructure in 2024, and the commitment of N44.33 billion to food security initiatives.

Sterling Bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, pointed out that economic growth in Africa is often hindered by an unstable investment climate.

The summit aimed to build investor confidence by fostering trust and transparency in business environments.

“Lagos remains a leading destination for investors,” Suleiman noted. “The state provides clarity and access to markets, maintaining consistency in its investment strategies.”

Sanwo-Olu’s administration continues to focus on diversifying Lagos’ economy through strategic investments in various sectors.

The state’s proactive approach has positioned it as a global city and an emerging African financial center.

The governor’s initiative is expected to further solidify Lagos’ reputation as a prime investment destination, paving the way for sustained economic growth and development.

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Vice-President Harris Gathers Momentum as Democratic Nominee

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Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support needed to become the Democratic nominee for president.

This was after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, endorsing Harris as his successor.

According to CBS News, Harris has received endorsements from over 1,976 delegates, surpassing the threshold needed to clinch the nomination in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled for August.

Delegations from at least 27 states have expressed full support, showcasing a strong backing across the nation.

In her address to campaign staff in Wilmington, Delaware, Harris expressed gratitude for the widespread support, adding that she committed to uniting the party and the country.

“We have 106 days until Election Day, and in that time, we have some hard work to do,” she stated.

Harris laid out her vision for America, contrasting it with that of her likely opponent, Donald Trump.

Speaking on the direction of the campaign thus far, she said “Our campaign has always been about two different versions of what we see as the future of our country. One focuses on the future, the other focuses on the past.”

She acknowledged the accomplishments of the Biden administration, highlighting her pride in serving as vice-president.

“My time serving as vice-president was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Harris said, underscoring her dedication to continuing the work they started.

In a phone call to his campaign team, Biden praised Harris, urging his supporters to rally behind her. “I’m hoping you’ll give every bit of your heart and soul that you gave to me to Kamala,” he said.

Despite stepping back from the race, Biden vowed to remain actively involved in supporting Harris and emphasized the importance of defeating Trump, calling him “a danger to this nation.”

Harris’s nomination marks a significant milestone, but challenges remain. The campaign will focus on addressing key issues such as healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality.

With millions of dollars pouring into her campaign since Biden’s announcement, Harris aims to capitalize on the momentum and build a coalition that appeals to a broad spectrum of voters.

As the DNC approaches, Harris is expected to formally accept the nomination, solidifying her position as the Democratic leader.

The coming months will be crucial as she works to unite the party and reach out to undecided voters. With her historic nomination, Harris stands poised to make a lasting impact on the future of American politics.

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President Declines Nomination, Endorses Harris for 2024

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In a significant political announcement on his X.com account, President Joe Biden has decided to forgo the opportunity to seek re-election in 2024, instead throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

The surprise move, shared with the public this morning, represents a pivotal moment in the Democratic Party’s journey toward the upcoming presidential election.

In his statement, Biden said that his choice to step aside is driven by a desire to concentrate on his remaining duties as President.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside Harris, calling her selection as his Vice President in 2020 “the best decision” he has made. “My fellow Democrats,” Biden began, “I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

The President’s announcement signifies a strategic shift in the 2024 election landscape. By endorsing Kamala Harris, Biden not only aims to consolidate support within the party but also to set the stage for a unified front against former President Donald Trump.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year,” Biden declared. “Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this.”

This endorsement comes as a surprise to many, given Biden’s earlier commitment to seeking re-election.

However, it reflects a broader strategic maneuver to ensure party unity and strengthen the Democratic position in the face of a formidable opponent. By focusing on Harris, Biden aims to leverage her growing popularity and political acumen to fortify the party’s chances in the upcoming election.

Kamala Harris, who has served as Vice President since January 2021, will now be thrust into the spotlight as the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Her campaign is expected to build on the legacy of the current administration while addressing key issues facing the nation.

The move also raises the stakes for the Republicans, who will need to prepare for a robust campaign from a seasoned political leader in Harris.

As the 2024 election cycle ramps up, Biden’s endorsement is likely to reshape the dynamics of the race, influencing both Democratic strategies and Republican responses.

The coming months will be critical as Harris and her team work to solidify their platform and rally support from voters across the nation.

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